Marie writes: The West Coast is currently experiencing a heat
wave and I have no air conditioning. That said, and despite it currently
being 80F inside my apartment, at least the humidity is low. Although
not so low, that I don't have a fan on my desk and big glass of ice tea
at the ready. My apartment thankfully faces East and thus enjoys the
shade after the sun has crossed the mid-point overhead. And albeit
perverse in its irony, it's because it has been so hot lately that I've
been in the mood to watch the following film again and which I highly
recommend to anyone with taste and a discerning eye.

Marie writes: It's that time of the year again! The Toronto International Film Festival is set to run September 6 - 16, 2012. Tickets selection began August 23rd. Single tickets on sale Sept 2, 2012. For more info visit TIFF's website.

Marie writes: Okay, this is just plain cool. This is clearly someone using their brain, in combination with "what the hell, let's just go ahead and try it..."

Dr Julius Neubronner's Miniature Pigeon CameraIn 1903, Dr Julius Neubronner patented a miniature pigeon camera activated by a timing mechanism. The invention brought him international notability after he presented it at international expositions in Dresden, Frankfurt and Paris in 1909-1911. Spectators in Dresden could watch the arrival of the camera-equipped carrier pigeons, whereupon the photos were immediately developed and turned into postcards which could be purchased. (click images to enlarge.) - from The Public Domain Review. Visit the site to see even more photos.